New Destinations: Italy, Australia, the Cotswolds & More!

Each year our team of explorers scours the planet in search of new and exciting nature encounters to stimulate the minds and spirits of our avid travelers. Tracking down rarely visited places where wildlife abounds, finding jungle ecolodges in inspirational settings, adding extra elements of discovery in our remote locales and training our renowned Expedition Leaders to present these captivating new adventures… well, it’s all in a day’s work for us! We think you’ll be as excited as we are about the results of our global vagabonding.

Here’s roundup of our newest destinations for 2019 and 2020!

Remote Peaks & Meadows of the Canadian Rockies

10 Days | Departures in July & August

Canada’s Rocky Mountains hold a fabled place among the world’s greatest natural marvels. Sharper and sheerer than their American counterparts, Canada’s grandest peaks cradle turquoise lakes while glacier-fed rivers and waterfalls nurture abundant wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep, bears and wolves. While of course we include the famous sights you come to the Canadian Rockies to see, like Banff and the Bow River Valley, Lake Louise, Peyto Lake and the Icefields Parkway, we don’t stop there. We’ve added three nights in a remote, virtually untouristed region in the Selkirk Mountains on the western edge of the Rockies. Our aim is to get you utterly away from crowds and into total wilderness seclusion—you’ll experience this region in a way that very few travelers will, and certainly none who are part of big commercial bus tours.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Banff, Lake Louise & Yoho—Survey the scenic grandeur of Banff and Yoho national parks, comprising the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site

Heli-Hiking in the Bugaboos—Fly by helicopter deep into the jagged Bugaboos Range to spend three days on wilderness trails amid some of the continent’s most dramatic alpine terrain

Just 12 Guests with Two Guides—Look for elk, bears and bighorn sheep, and learn about the rich geology of the peaks, canyons, fossil beds and glaciers along the Icefields Parkway

Australia’s Wild North: Kakadu, Daintree & the Great Barrier Reef

12 Days | Departures in May through October

Our northern Australia adventure starts with three full days on remote Heron Island, where we snorkel right off the beach. Swim with sea turtles, manta rays and tropical fish in an underwater wilderness that’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Head inland to Daintree, the world’s oldest rain forest, filled with cassowaries (these birds stand over 6 feet tall!), rat kangaroos, tree frogs and bandicoots. Finish the expedition in wild Kakadu, an ancient homeland to Aboriginal peoples, dingoes and 10,000 crocodiles. After each day’s exploits, retreat to our remote luxury safari camp in the bush.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef—Spend three days immersed in a pristine coral wilderness teeming with turtles, myriad fish, rays, porpoises and more—accessible directly from our private island beach

Delve into Earth’s Oldest Rain Forest—Explore Daintree National Park, the emerald forest that’s home to cassowaries, rat kangaroos, saltwater crocodiles and plants that have persisted since the dinosaurs

Safari in Kakadu & the Wild Top End—Our exclusive safari camp in the Australian Outback offers luxurious seclusion and raw adventure, including airboat excursions along the bird-rich coastal floodplain

Tasmania, Kangaroo Island & Australia’s Southern Coast

12 Days | Departures in October through March

Our southern Australia trip surveys six national parks while showcasing classic Aussie wildlife — koalas, kangaroos, wombats and wallabies, plus the fierce Tasmanian devil. On Kangaroo Island, stay at a wilderness retreat next to Flinders Chase National Park, where we’re sure to see plenty of marsupials, echidnas and perhaps the elusive platypus. Follow the Great Ocean Road and stay at a private Cape Otway ecolodge. Then fly to Tasmania, where we step into a cave filled with bioluminescent glowworms and admire the dazzling waters of Great Oyster Bay in Freycinet National Park.

Italian Alps: South Tyrol & the Dolomites

9 Days | Departures in July through September

Crowned with serrated peaks and culturally more Germanic than Italian, Italy’s South Tyrol and the Dolomites offer some of the most sublime vistas in the European Alps. Along the border of Austria in the autonomous region of Trento-Alto Adige, we find high alpine pastures, deep valleys, waterfalls, icy lakes and fields of wildflowers in summer. Just east, the limestone pillars and pinnacles of the Dolomites dominate a fairytale landscape dotted with alpen villages and lowing cows. Its scenic spectacles and unique Ladin culture have earned the Dolomites recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In one of the world’s most glorious hiking destinations, wander mountain tracks to look for ibex and chamois in the shadow of mountain massifs that rise like giant gray teeth.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Follow Sublime Alpine Trails—Explore the Sella Massif in the heart of the Dolomites and the broad basin of the Ahrntal Valley, flanked by the Zillertal Alps with more than 80 peaks rising above 10,000 feet

Explore via Mountain Tramways—Ride the tram to the top of Marmolada, the highest range in the Dolomites, and ascend Europe’s largest alpine plateau via the Alpe di Siusi cable car

Private Cruise on Lake Garda—From the balmy resort town of Sirmione, with its thermal baths and medieval castle, survey the teal expanse of Lago di Garda, ringed by vineyards, olive groves and the Brenta Mountains

The Cotswolds: Exploring English Nature

8 Days | Departures in May, June, September & October

This bucolic region of rolling hills, ancient woodlands, trout streams and rolling meadows spans 800 square miles, the largest protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain. Eighty percent of it is undeveloped agricultural land, with wild spaces and nature reserves interwoven among sheep pastures and royal estates. Our Cotswolds trip is an immersion in an idyllic vision of traditional England, away from crowds. Conservation is an important commitment here, helping to preserve both glorious rural vistas and native wildlife that lives in the hedgerows, marshes and forests.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Nature off the Standard Track—Wander scenic footpaths through the Cotswold Hills, Britain’s largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, protecting ancient habitats and native wildlife

Unspoiled Rural Villages—Explore postcard-perfect medieval villages of honey-colored stone, and stay at luxury inns steeped in history and surrounded by gardens, meadows, rivers and woodlands

Private Tours & Special Access—Tap our local connections for experiences you won’t get any other way, with exclusive access at grand estates and behind-the-scenes tours of castles, gardens and organic farms

Wild Switzerland: Peaks, Lakes & Glaciers

9 Days | Departures in August & September

We’re proud to introduce you to one of the world’s most famous nature destinations, done the Nat Hab way. Immerse yourself in Switzerland’s prime alpine landscapes during a season when tourism is less busy. You’ll love this nature-focused itinerary that truly gets you out there, exploring Swiss National Park and the edge of Bernina Glacier, Lake Geneva, and some of Europe’s tallest peaks including the Santa Rosa Massif, the Matterhorn and more. Switzerland isn’t an undiscovered destination, but we’ve crafted our small-group adventure carefully—traveling with just 13 guests and two Expedition Leaders. Our itinerary cherry-picks the finest Swiss nature immersions and couples them with atmospheric historic lodging — just the kind of encounter you crave.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Ride the Train to the Matterhorn—Ride first-class on the famous Glacier Express between two of the most iconic Swiss mountain towns, St. Moritz and Zermatt, concluding at the base of the Matterhorn

Sleep Under the Stars in the Alps—Overnight at an observatory, sleeping at high altitude in the Alps under the Milky Way, then wake to unobstructed views of a massive glacier and Europe’s second tallest peak

Explore by Rail, Boat & on Foot—Look for wildlife in Swiss National Park, cruise Lake Geneva, and survey the Bernese peaks of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau via cable car, cog railway and gondola

Wild Croatia by Land & Sea

10 Days | Departures in September & October

While Croatia has become popular with the cruise ship crowd, and HBO’s Game of Thrones has brought throngs of fans to Dubrovnik, we show you a wilder side of Croatia where the peace of nature prevails. Our base is an elegant mahogany sailing yacht, privately chartered for just 12 guests. Leave the bustle behind as we explore enchanting islands off the main circuit. Each day, we’ll paddle kayaks into secluded coves, swim in the crystal waters and wander ashore among olive and citrus groves, the air fragrant with sage and lavender. Inland, discover diverse nature reserves including Europe’s largest native lowland riparian forest, a globally important bird sanctuary. Local food and wine are a highlight as we enjoy the catch of the day in traditional fishing villages, join hospitable hosts at farm-to-table dinners in private homes, and sample a selection of acclaimed Croatian wines.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Explore by Day, Feast at Night—Kayak among forested isles and turquoise coves along a coastline steeped in history, with some of the best local food and wine in the Mediterranean

Discover Mountains, Lakes & Wildlife—Explore the enchanting travertine pools and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes, watch birds in the largest wetland in the Danube Basin, and visit a European brown bear sanctuary

Leave A Response »

Good Nature is the official nature and adventure travel blog of Natural Habitat Adventures. We feature reports from the field, news about the natural world and thoughts from our accomplished writers and staff.

The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of Natural Habitat Adventures or WWF.